U.S. patent number 4,189,876 [Application Number 05/931,562] was granted by the patent office on 1980-02-26 for beam-mounted folding chairs.
This patent grant is currently assigned to American Seating Company. Invention is credited to Philip E. Crossman, Arthur L. Van Ryn.
United States Patent |
4,189,876 |
Crossman , et al. |
February 26, 1980 |
Beam-mounted folding chairs
Abstract
Seating for a telescoping row system or the like includes a
chair back and seat mounted to a frame which automatically raises
and lowers as the rows are opened and closed respectively. A pair
of hinge mechanisms are clamped to the frame at the side of each
chair for mounting the seats and backs while permitting them to
rotate about a common axis which extends along the intersection of
the hip and lumbar region of the occupant. The hinge mechanisms
include one spring which normally biases the seat of the chair to
the three-quarters fold position when it is unoccupied, but permits
it to be lowered for an occupant or moved to the fully raised
position for passing. In one embodiment, a second spring biases the
back of each chair to the use position when the chair is raised.
When the chair is folded for storage, the back and seat are rotated
toward each other to a fully closed position. Seat, back and arm
rest constructions are also disclosed which are particularly
advantageous to telescoping row systems, although not so limited in
application.
Inventors: |
Crossman; Philip E. (Grand
Rapids, MI), Van Ryn; Arthur L. (Grand Rapids, MI) |
Assignee: |
American Seating Company (Grand
Rapids, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
25460977 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/931,562 |
Filed: |
August 7, 1978 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C
1/126 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
1/126 (20060101); A47C 1/00 (20060101); E04H
003/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/8-10
;297/332,236 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell; J. Karl
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Emrich, Root, O'Keeffe &
Lee
Claims
We claim:
1. In combination with a telescoping row system including a
plurality of rows extendable to a use position in which the rows
are in stepped relation, and retractable to a storage position in
which the rows are generally vertically aligned, said system
including seating means and automatic mechanism for raising said
seating means to a use position when said rows are extended and for
lowering said seating when said rows are retracted, improved
seating comprising: frame means adapted for movement between a use
and a storage position by said automatic mechanism; at least one
chair carried by said frame means and movable therewith, said chair
including a seat, a back and hinge means for mounting said seat and
said back to said frame means for independent pivotal motion about
horizontal axes; resilient means for biasing said seat to a raised
position when it is unoccupied while permitting said seat to be
lowered for occupancy; and means permitting said back to be pivoted
forwardly for closing, said seat and back fitting in the vertical
space between rows when said rows are retracted.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means permitting said back
to be pivoted forwardly comprises second resilient means for urging
said back rearwardly to the use position while permitting it to be
pivoted forwardly for closing and to accommodate different
positions of the risers of higher rows.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said hinge means comprises
first and second housing connected to said frame means for mounting
said seat and back for independent pivotal motion about a common
horizontal axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient means comprises
preloaded coil spring means for biasing said seat to a
three-quarters fold position when it is unoccupied, said system
further comprising pocket means rotatable with said seat and at
least partially enclosing said spring means for compressing said
spring means in a first direction when said seat is lowered for
use, and for compressing said spring means in a second direction
when said seat is raised beyond said three-quarters fold
position.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame means includes a
horizontal beam, and wherein said system includes a plurality of
said chairs; said hinge means comprising first and second hinge
mechanisms for each of said chairs, each hinge mechanism including
a housing adapted to engage the top and one side of said beam when
said beam is in the use position, a clamp adapted to engage said
beam at the bottom and the other side thereof; and means for
fastening said clamp member to said hinge mechanism mounting for
securing said chair to said beam.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising arm rest means
between adjacent chairs, each arm rest means including saddle means
adapted to engage said beam and clamped thereto by an adjacent pair
of said hinge mechanisms for said chairs, said arm rest means
further including an upright member mounted to said saddle means,
an arm, and pivot means for mounting said arm to said upright
member, said pivot means permitting said arm to fall to the use
position under gravity when said frame means is raised to the use
position.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said hinge means for connecting
said arm rest to said upright member includes first and second side
hinge members each having an exterior curved surface conforming to
the shape of the other member, and each including a rounded
interior track and at least a first protruding tooth, the tooth of
each hinge member extending into the track of the other and
cooperating to define the use position of the arm rest member, said
exterior conforming surfaces conforming to each other for all
positions of said arm rest member to avoid catching any portion of
the deck of the next higher row during extension and retraction of
said row.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said hinge housing includes a
casting, said system further including first and second internally
threaded nuts embedded in said casting, said fastener means
extending through said clamp member and received in said embedded
nut.
9. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said casting of each hinge
means comprises a cavity defining a spring pocket having an axis
curved about the axis of rotation of said seat; means connected to
said seat defining a second spring pocket having an axis curved
about the axis of rotation of said seat and cooperating with said
first spring pocket to hold said spring, said spring acting to
align said first and second spring pockets, said seat being in a
raised position when said second spring pocket is aligned with said
first spring pocket.
10. In combination with a telescoping row system including a
plurality of rows extendable to a use position in which the rows
are in stepped relation, and retractable to a storage position in
which the rows are generally vertically aligned, said system
including seating means and automatic mechanism for raising said
seating means to a use position when said rows are extended and for
lowering said seating when said rows are retracted, improved
seating comprising: a frame including a beam actuated between a use
and a storage position by said automatic mechanism; a seat; a back;
and hinge means for mounting said seat and said back to said beam
for independent pivotal motion about a common axis; first resilient
means for biasing said seat to a three-quarters fold position when
it is unoccupied while permitting said seat to be lowered for
occupancy and raised beyond said three-quarters fold position for
passing; and second resilient means for urging said back rearwardly
about its pivot axis while permitting said back to be pivoted
forwardly for closing, said seat and back fitting in the vertical
space between rows when said rows are retracted.
11. In combination with a telescoping row system including a
plurality of rows extendable to a use position in which the rows
are in stepped relation, and retractable to a storage position in
which the rows are generally vertically aligned, said system
including seating means and automatic mechanism for raising said
seating means to a use position when said rows are extended and for
lowering said seating when said rows are retracted, improved
seating comprising: a frame including a beam actuated between a use
and a storage position by said automatic mechanism; a seat; a back;
and hinge means for mounting said seat and said back to said beam
for independent pivotal motion about a common axis, said hinge
means permitting said back to be rotated between first and second
limit positions; first resilient means for biasing said seat to a
three-quarters fold position when it is unoccupied while permitting
said seat to be lowered for occupancy and raised beyond said
three-quarters fold position for passing; and second resilient
means for resiliently urging said back about its pivot axis to said
first limit position while permitting said back to be pivoted to
said second limit position, said seat and back fitting in the
vertical space between rows when said rows are retracted.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first and second limit
positions of said back are a rear and a forward position
respectively, said second resilient means urging said back about
its pivot axis to said rear position while permitting said back to
be pivoted forward for closing.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said first and second limit
positions for said back are a forward and a rear position
respectively, said second resilient means resiliently urging said
back about its pivot axis toward said forward position while
permitting said back to be pivoted rearwardly by an occupant.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
The present invention relates in general to telescoping seating
systems. Seating systems of this type include a plurality of rows
which are mounted on wheel carriages and adapted to move between an
extended use position in which the rows are stepped or tiered, and
a retracted or storage position in which the rows are generally
vertically aligned. The present invention is directed to seating
for telescoping rows of this type; and it has particular utility in
such systems wherein the seating is automatically raised when the
rows are extended for use, and automatically lowered when the rows
are retracted for storage. One telescoping row system which
automatically raises and lowers the seating as the rows are
extended and retracted is disclosed in the co-owned application of
Hartman, for TELESCOPING SEATING SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING
CHAIRS, Ser. No. 897,941, filed Apr. 3, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No.
4,155,202. In the Hartman application, there is disclosed a
mechanism responsive to the extension and retraction of the rows
for raising and lowering a frame, including a horizontal beam, on
which the seating is mounted.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated as
mounted on a horizontal beam of the type disclosed in the Hartman
application, Ser. No. 897,941, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,202 which is
raised and lowered with the movements of the telescoping rows; and
it includes a chair back and seat mounted to the beam by means of a
pair of hinge mechanisms clamped to the beam at the side of each
chair. The hinge mechanisms include a pair of pocket washers which
capture and hold a preloaded coil spring so that the washers are
normally biased with their spring pockets aligned. A seat sector is
engaged by one of the washers which is rotatable relative to the
other washer which is fixed in a housing for the hinge mechanism.
The seat sector is forced by the preloaded spring, when the seat is
unoccupied, to the three-quarters fold position. Thus, when the
system is extended for use, and the seats are unoccupied, they are
all aligned in the three-quarters fold position, thereby
facilitating ingress and egress, reducing maintenance cost for
folding seats, and presenting a uniform, neat appearance to the
system.
The hinge mechanisms permit the seat to be lowered to the
horizontal position when occupied, and they also permit the seat to
be further raised, as when an occupant steps rearwardly into the
seat, pushing the top of the seat with the back of his thighs so as
to facilitate passing by another occupant of the aisle. This
position of the seat is sometimes referred to as the "passing" or
fully closed position, and it is also assumed when the chair is
lowered and stored in the space between adjacent decks when the
system is closed for storage.
A second spring located in the same housing as the seat hinge
mechanism normally biases back sectors, on which the chair backs
are mounted, rearwardly to the normal use position when the seat is
open, but they also permit the backs to be rotated forwardly to the
fully closed position. This is also useful in that the backs do not
bind when the rows are opened or closed out of the ordinary
sequence. When the chairs are closed, both the seats and backs are
rotated to a minimum space, occupying as little as 31/2 inches of
vertical space, and fitting within the space between the top of one
deck and the bottom of the next higher deck, without requiring any
special structural changes to the decks to accommodate the
automatically folded chairs. This enables the chairs to accommodate
a rise as low as 8 inches (deck-to-deck).
To provide more comfortable contour seating in this minimum space,
one illustrated embodiment of the seat includes a peripheral frame
which is mounted on seat sectors and which receives a seat panel
comprising a wire frame, a sleeve or belt of flexible, elastic
material on the wire frame, a foam cushion encompassing the belt,
and a covering. When an occupant sits on the seat, the elastic belt
will yield under the weight of the occupant, permitting his body
contour to extend beneath the horizontal extension of the
peripheral frame.
Various modifications of upholstery for backs and seats are also
disclosed which are all capable of being folded into the minimum
space necessary for automatically folding the seating between
telescoping rows. There is also disclosed an arm rest structure
which may be clamped to the same beam on which the seats are
mounted, by the same clamping structure which holds the chair hinge
mechanism. The arm rest is also capable of being folded when the
rows are retracted, and it falls under gravity to the use position
when the rows are extended for use.
The seating of the present invention is not necessarily limited for
use with telescoping rows. Rather, as will be appreciated from the
detailed description, it can be extended to a number of different
applications, such as fixed seating, modular seating, and so on, as
further explained below.
Thus, the present invention provides a chair which is capable of
operating with a fully automatic telescoping row system and folding
and unfolding in cooperation with the movement of the rows without
sacrificing the comfort of an occupant. The system further provides
the advantages and neatness of appearance in a three-quarters fold
seat which may be lowered for use or further raised for passing. In
addition, the limited pivotal motion permitted by the back permits
location of the chair as close as desired to the rear of a deck
consistent with tolerances required for positioning the nose of the
next higher platform. This structure permitting limited rotation of
the back further provides for increased passing space in the next
higher row, when required. All of this is provided in a chair which
may be folded into a space as small as 31/2 inches deep so that the
chair may be fully enclosed in the space between the top of one
platform and the bottom of the next higher deck. The capacity to
include a variety of different seating surfaces is a further
advantage of the present system, these seating surfaces ranging
from plastic, to a thin cushion pad, to a deeper cushion pad, and
including a deep resilient sling for greater body contour.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to persons skilled in the art from the following detailed
description of alternative embodiments wherein identical reference
numerals will refer to like parts in the various views.
THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a part of a telescoping row
system incorporating the present invention, with the seats and
backs shown in the normal, unoccupied position in solid line and in
the various other positions in dashed line.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 with the rows closed and the
seating stored in the space between adjacent decks;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary upper, right side perspective view of the
system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a right side hinge mechanism;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of hinge mechanisms for one
chair;
FIG. 6 is an interior side view of the hinge casting of FIG. 4
showing the seat and back sectors in the limit positions for
use;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a padded seat;
FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a seat structure
employing a resilient web or belt;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the seating system shown with the
beam mounted on a fixed vertical standard, with some parts in
exploded relation;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fixed riser mount which might be
used with the seating of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a folding arm rest used
with the present invention;
FIG. 12 is a side view of the assembled arm rest of FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a detailed perspective view of the arm hinge members
shown in exploded relation;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the arm rest of FIGS. 11 and 12
illustrating the angle of the arm rest as it engages a platform
during folding and showing the arm in the folded position in dashed
line; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a lift hook used in a system that
does not have arm rests.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring first to FIG. 1, a portion of a telescoping row system is
shown, including an upper row generally designated 10, and a lower
row designated 11. Each of the rows may be similar in structure.
Referring then to the row 10, it includes a deck 12 including a
platform 13 supported on cantilever arms, one of which is shown at
15. The rear of the deck 13 includes a rear riser 16 which is
mounted to an understructure including a pair of posts, one of
which is seen at 17. The cantilever arms 15 are also welded to the
posts 17. The posts, in turn, are welded to wheel carriages, as is
well known in this art, for moving the rows between an extended use
position (in which the rows are stepped as seen in FIG. 1) and the
retracted storage position (in which the rows are generally
vertically aligned as seen in FIG. 2).
In a system of this type the wheel carriages for the upper rows are
spaced progressively further apart so that the wheel carriages of
lower rows nest between them in side-by-side relation when the rows
are closed. Additional details of row structure, including the
apparatus for supporting a deck while permitting it to be moved
between the extended and retracted positions may be found in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,667,171, issued June 6, 1972, or U.S. Pat. No.
4,041,655, issued Aug. 16, 1977.
Turning now to the seating, in the illustrated embodiment, a
tubular metal frame generally designated 22 includes a horizontal
beam 23 and a plurality of stanchions 24 welded to it. The
stanchions 24 are pivotally mounted at 25 to a locking mechanism
generally designated 26. A plurality of chairs, each including a
seat S and a back B is mounted to the beam 23.
The locking mechanism 26 is more completely disclosed in the
co-owned application of A. P. Hartman for TELESCOPING SEATING
SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATICALLY FOLDING CHAIRS, Ser. No. 897,941, filed
Apr. 3, 1978 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,202. Briefly, however, it
includes a locking lever 27 which is pivotally mounted at 28 to the
bottom of a stanchion. The stanchion, in turn, as mentioned, is
pivotally mounted at 25 to the side plates of a housing generally
designated 30 which is secured to the riser and to the platform of
a deck. In the raised position, the locking member 27 engages a pin
32 to hold the frame in the raised position.
During closing of the rows, the nose portion 35 of the next higher
row engages the top of the locking member 27, unseats it, and
permits the seating to be lowered to the closed position shown in
FIG. 2.
As disclosed more fully in the above-identified Hartman
application, an actuator 36 in the form of a hook is pivotally
mounted to the nose portion of a row for engaging a lift hook on
the arm rest such as that designated 40 in FIG. 11 for raising the
seating when the rows are extended for use. If the arm rest is not
used, a lift hook such as the one designated 40A in FIG. 15 is
clamped to the beam by the hinge mechanisms to be described for the
same purposes. Further, a torsion rod (not shown) is used to
partially counterbalance the weight of the frame and chairs, and it
also assists in raising and lowering the chairs.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the present invention is directed to the
chair seating which, in this embodiment, is mounted directly to the
beam 23 of the frame 22. The locking mechanism and housing 30 for
the stanchions 24 is hidden by cover plates 43, 44. Each chair
includes, as indicated, a back B and a seat S. The seat and back
are mounted to the beam at each side by left and right (in
reference to an occupant of the chair) hinge mechanisms generally
designated 45L and 45R (in FIG. 5). The seats and backs pivot about
a common axis which is defined by the intersection of the
hip/lumbar region of an occupant of a chair, for greater comfort
and support. In FIG. 1 for row 11, the back B and seat S are seen
in solid line in the normal use positions and in chain line in the
fully folded position (also the passing position for the seat). The
seat is also seen in dashed line in the use position.
The right and left hinge mechanisms are similar to each other
except that they form mirror images of each other, so that only one
need be disclosed in more detail for a complete understanding of
the invention.
Referring then to FIGS. 4 and 6 for the left hinge, a housing 46
includes a casting 48 which includes a lower angle mounting portion
49 which conforms to the top and rear surface of the beam 23. A
beam clamp 50 conforms to the front and lower surface of the beam
23 and is secured to the mounting portion 49 by bolts 51 which are
received in threaded nuts embedded in the casting 48 and designated
52 and 53 in FIG. 6.
Turning now to FIG. 6, the casting 48 includes a lower cavity 55
and an upper cavity 56 separated by first and second inwardly
extending projections 57, 58. The cavities 55, 56 are generally
semi-circular in shape, and taken together, they have the general
shape of a complete circle. A central hub 59 which extends inwardly
of these cavities is integrally formed with a side wall 60 on the
casting 48. The hub is internally threaded for receiving a flat
head cap screw 62 which holds the hinge assembly together, as will
be described. A third inwardly extending projection 66 is formed in
an upper curved wall 65 of the casting 48, and it defines a stop
surface 67 for the forward motion of the back sector, to be
described. A lateral recess 68 (best seen in FIG. 4) is formed in
the casting 48 to permit the back sector to rotate, as will be
described. An extension 66A of the curved wall 65 extends above a
portion of the back hinge sector to avoid "pinch" areas.
Returning now to FIG. 4, a back return spring generally designated
70 is received in the casting 48. It includes a central curved
portion 71 which fits about the hub 59, and first and second
outwardly bent end portions 72, 73. When a back hinge sector 74 is
to be biased rearwardly, the portion 73 of the spring 70 engages
the projection 58 of the casting, and the spring is preloaded by
placing the portion 72 against the front edge of the back hinge
sector 74, as at 75 in FIG. 4. In this manner, the back hinge
sector is urged in counterclockwise rotation about the hub 59 on
which an aperture 78 of the back hinge sector is rotatably
received. The spring 70 may be reversed to bias the back sector
forwardly, in which case the spring is rotated so that the bent end
projection 72 of the spring engages the projection 57 on the
casting, and the end 73 of the spring engages the rear edge of the
back hinge sector 74.
Just beneath the location 75 on the back hinge sector 74, the back
hinge sector extends forwardly at 79 and then downwardly at 80. The
forwardly extending portion 79 is dimensioned to fit beneath the
upper curved extension 66A of the casting 48 which extends
rearwardly of the stop surface 67 on the inwardly extending
projection 66 (see FIG. 6). The downwardly extending portion 80 of
the back hinge sector engages the stop surface 67 to limit the
forward motion of the back hinge sector 74 and back B. The portion
79 of the back hinge sector lies beneath the extension wall 66A of
the casting for all positions of the back sector so that there is a
smooth conformation from the curved wall 65 of the housing to the
back sector during movement of the back; and no "pinch" areas are
present.
To the rear of the back hinge sector 74 a lobe 85 is formed which
defines a lower stop surface 87 which engages the upper surface 57A
of the casting projections 57 to limit the rearward rotation of the
back hinge sector and back.
Also received on the hub 59 spaced inwardly of the back hinge
sector 74 are a pair of spring pocket washers 90, 91 which are
similar in shape but reversed on the hub 59. Thus, the washer 90
includes a spring pocket 92, and the washer 91 includes a spring
pocket 93. The pockets 92, 93 are semi-circular in cross section.
Together, they form a portion of a toroid having its axis curved
about the hinge axis for the seat sectors, to be described. The
ends of the pocket 92 are trapped beneath the projections 57, 58 of
the casting, so that washer 90 cannot rotate relative to the hinge
casting 48.
A seat hinge sector 95 includes an outwardly-extending arm 95C and
a disc-shaped portion 95D which defines a central aperture 98 which
is received on a sleeve or bushing 97 which is an integral part of
the washer 91. The bushing 97 is received on the hub 59 of the
casting 48, and provides a bearing surface for rotation of the
washer 91. The portion 95B of the seat hinge sector lies flat
against the side of the washer 91 when the seat hinge sector is
assembled to it.
The disc-shaped portion 95D is cut away along two radial edges 95A
and 95B which are spaced angularly apart so as to engage the ends
93A and 93B of the spring pocket 93 on the washer 91. Thus, as the
seat hinge sector 95 is rotated to the lowered or use position, the
edge 95B will engage the end 93B of the spring pocket 93, and cause
the washer 91 to be rotated clockwise. Just forward of the edge
95B, the seat sector 95 is notched to form a stop surface 95E which
engages a surface 59 on the casting 48 to limit the seat sector 95
to the lowered position (see FIG. 6). Just forward of the stop
surface 95E, the seat hinge sector is offset at 95F so that the arm
portion 95C of the seat hinge sector is aligned with the arm of the
back sector 74.
Referring to FIG. 5, left and right hinge mechanisms are shown
assembled, with a beam indicated in dashed line. Corresponding
elements for the left side of a chair are indicated by an L, and
for the right side by an R. It will be observed that the arms of
the seat hinge sectors are offset outwardly relative to the center
of a chair, and this is so that the arms of the seat sectors align
in the same vertical planes as the corresponding back sectors, and
the back sectors 74L and 74R are located outwardly of the center of
the chair on the hub 59 for their associated hinge mechanisms.
A helical coil compression spring 96 (called the seat fold spring)
is received in the pockets 92, 93 which cooperate to fully enclose
it. The seat fold spring 96 is trapped by the cooperating ends of
the pockets 92, 93 to urge them into an aligned position. To effect
this, the spring is preloaded--that is, it is compressed before
being fitted into the pockets to urge the ends of the pockets into
alignment, but permitting the washer 91 to rotate relative to the
hinge casting 48. When the pockets 92, 93 of the washers 90, 91 are
aligned under the preload force of the seat fold spring 96, the
seat hinge sector extends in the three-quarters fold position, as
seen in solid line for the seat S in FIG. 1. Further, it will be
observed that the axis of the seat fold spring 96 is curved about
the axis of rotation of the seat sector 95 for all positions of
that sector.
Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown a blow-molded plastic seat
shell generally designated 110 which has first and second sheaths
or pockets 111, 112 formed in the sides for receiving the seat
sectors 105, 95 respectively. The seat sectors are secured by means
of screws in the side of the seat frame, one of which is shown at
113 for being threaded into an aperture 114 on the sector 105. The
other sector is similarly held to the seat shell. A 3/4 in. padded
seat, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, is applied directly
to the upper surface of the seat (or back panel) of the blow-molded
shell, the pad being designated 115. In this embodiment, the seat
pad 115 includes a foam cushion 116, a panel 117 and an upholstery
cover 118. A plurality of "Christmas tree" fasteners 120A are
secured to the panel 117, and received in corresponding holding
apertures on the upper surface seat panel of the shell 110. If a
thicker seat cushion is desired, the seat panel (that is, the upper
wall of the plastic shell in which the pad 115 is mounted) can be
routed out and removed, thereby providing room for a thicker
cushion without increasing the depth which can then be mounted to a
retainer ring conforming to the size of the cavity left when the
seat panel is routed out. Further, the removed portion of the seat
panel may be used as the panel 117 for the thinner version of seat
pad. Obviously, if no cushion is desired whatever, the plastic
shell alone may be used as the seat.
If still more comfort is desired, both the top surface and the
bottom surface may be routed out from the shell leaving a frame
such as that designated by reference numeral 120 in FIG. 8 (formed
from a shell produced by the same mold as that which produced the
shell 110 in FIG. 7). In this case, however, the area of the lower
surface of the shell which is removed is smaller than the area of
the removed upper panel, leaving a ledge 121. The seat cushion is
formed by placing an elastic web, sleeve or belt 122 over a rigid
steel frame 123, leaving the center free to sag and assume the
contour of an occupant. The continuous belt of elastic webbing 122
is stretched and forced over the frame 123, so that it is always
under tension. The belt material may be that which is sold under
the mark SANGLATEX, made by Matiba Corporation. This subassembly is
then placed in a mold and plastic foam 124 is injected into the
mold and penetrates the upper and lower layers of the belt 122 to
provide cushioning. The combined frame, webbing and foamed plastic
are then covered with a fabric cover 125 having a rear zipper.
When assembled to the seat frame 120, the frame 123 rests on the
ledge 121 and the same screw 128 which holds the seat frame 120 to
the seat hinge sector extends over and traps the wire frame 123,
thereby securing the seat cushion to the seat frame. When an
occupant sits on this assembly, as indicated above, his body
contour is permitted to extend below the ledge 121, thereby
providing a greater feeling of comfort and conformation in a
structure which has a very thin silhouette, as is required for
telescoping row sections having a low rise.
The structure of the chair backs B may be similar to three of the
seat versions discussed--namely, a blow-molded plastic shell, a
plastic shell with a thin pad such as the seat pad 115, and a seat
shell with the forward surface routed to provide a thicker pad, as
described.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there are illustrated two typical
structures for accommodating the seating of the present invention
to fixed mounts. In FIG. 9, the chair is generally designated 130,
and it is mounted on a beam 131 as described above. A floor or
tread-mounted, fixed pedestal 132 includes an upper angle-shaped
seat 133 which is adapted to receive an inverted clamp member 134
for engaging the beam 131, and which is secured by threaded bolts
135. In FIG. 10, there is shown a fixed pedestal or mount generally
designated 137 which is adapted to be mounted to a riser by means
of a mounting plate 138. In this case, the mount or pedestal 137 is
adapted to be mounted to a high riser, but a pedestal could be
modified for any type of riser if fixed seating is desired.
Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, there is shown an arm assembly
generally designated 140 which may be used in an automatic folding
structure. An upright support 141 is welded to the top of an angle
member 141A which forms a saddle conforming to the top and rear
sides of the seating beam, and adapted to be clamped beneath
adjacent hinge assemblies. That is, a right side seat hinge clamp
assembly for one chair fits over the left side of the saddle 141A,
and the left side hinge seat assembly of the chair to the right
fits over the right side of the saddle.
The previously mentioned hook member 40 is welded to the back of
the upright 141 and adapted to catch the previously described
actuator 36 (see FIG. 1). At the top of the fixed upright 141 a
hinge generally designated 142 is formed from identical hinge
members 143, 144. The hinge member 143 includes a base 145 which is
press-fit into the open top of the tubular upright 141. At its
upper portion of each hinge member are disc-shaped elements 146,
148.
As seen best for the member 144, a pair of diametrically opposed
teeth 149, 150 extend outwardly from a circular track 147; and a
similar pair of teeth 149A, 150A are formed in a corresponding
track for the hinge member 143. The teeth of the hinge member 144
are received in the track of the hinge member 143, and the teeth of
the hinge member 143 are received in the track of member 144. The
two hinge members are secured together by a rivet 153, which
permits them to rotate relative to each other. The hinge member 144
includes a projection 155 which is received in a tubular arm rest
156, the end of which is closed by means of a cap 157 (FIG.
11).
The hinge members 143, 144 are preferably formed from a tough,
low-friction material such as nylon; and their engaging surfaces
are flat to permit the weight of the arm to rotate the hinge member
144 clockwise in FIG. 13 until the adjacent surfaces of the teeth
150, 150A and 149, 149A engage to stop the arm in the use position
(FIG. 12).
Referring to FIG. 14, when the seating is lowered, the included
angle of attack between the arm rest 156 and the platform is no
greater than 60.degree.. This permits the further lowering of the
seating to rotate the arm 156 counterclockwise to the folded
position shown in chain line. A relatively loose fit between the
hinge members 143, 144 permits the arm rest to drop to the use
position under force of gravity when the seating is raised for
use.
It will be observed that there is a smooth conformation from the
top of the arm rest 156 to the back of the upright support 141 for
all positions of the two members of the arm rest hinge. This
prevents the actuator 36 (of FIG. 1) on the nose of the next higher
deck from engaging any portion of the arm rest other than the hook
40 (FIG. 11); and it further avoids any "pinch" areas for users
regardless of the position of the arm rest.
OPERATION
Assuming that the seating is unoccupied, the seat S assumes the
three-quarters fold position shown in solid line in FIG. 1. This is
accomplished by the seat hinge mechanisms, and specifically by the
preload of the seat fold spring 96 which acts to align the ends of
pocket 93 of washer 91 with the ends of pocket 92 of washer 90
(FIG. 4). The washer 90 is restrained against rotation by the
projections 57, 58 on the casting 48. The ends 93A and 93B of the
pocket of washer 91 engage the edges 95A and 95B respectively on
the seat hinge sector 95, and move it to the three-quarters fold
position under urging by the spring 96.
The back B is urged rearwardly by means of the back return spring
70 when that spring is assembled so that the end projection 72
engages the forward edge of the back sector. This permits the back
to be pivoted forwardly to the position shown in chain line for the
lower row 11.
The articulation of the back B has a number of advantages. First,
the back can assume any position over a continuous range without
binding against the nose portion of the deck of the next higher
row. This permits the system to accommodate much higher rises than
are shown in FIG. 1 (it is sometimes desirable to increase the rise
substantially for higher rows to enhance the viewing of occupants
of upper rows). Further, the nose section of the highest rows, even
in the extended position, may engage the rear of the chair back
during sequencing of the rows, but an articulated back can
accommodate such engagement without binding even where the rows are
not completely opened. Further, the articulation of the back to a
forward position permits additional passing room in the next higher
row while stopping it after limited travel (surface 80 engaging
stop surface 67 of FIG. 6) so that a person in the next higher row
might use it as a hand rail.
When an occupant lowers the seat to the dashed position in FIG. 1,
the inner washer 91 (of a left side hinge mechanism) which is
engaged by the seat sector, rotates clockwise (FIG. 4) so that the
end 93B of the pocket 93 compresses the seat fold spring 96 against
the rear end of the pocket 92 of the washer 90 until the stop
surface 95E on the seat sector abuts the surface 59 on the hinge
casting to stop the seat in the use position.
If the occupant rises, the seat fold spring 96 will again cause the
seat to assume the three-quarters fold position shown in solid line
in FIG. 1. If the occupant then steps back, for example, to permit
passage of another person in the same aisle, the surface 95A of the
seat hinge sector will engage the end 93A of the pocket 93 on the
washer 91, and cause the washer to rotate counterclockwise. The end
93A of the washer 91 compresses the seat fold spring forwardly
against the forward end of the pocket 92 until the seat hinge
sector engages the stop surface 59A on the casting 48. The passing
position for the seat S is shown in chain line in FIG. 1. To fully
fold the chair to the positions shown in chain line in FIG. 1, the
back is rotated forwardly against the action of the back return
spring 70, and the seat is rotated toward the back to the passing
position. The combined seat and back are capable of being folded
into a space no greater than 31/2 inches high between the platform
of one deck and the bottom of the next higher deck. The
relationships shown in FIG. 2 are typical for a ten inch rise.
If the embodiment of FIG. 8 is used for the seat panel, as
indicated above, the weight of the occupant may cause the stretch
elastic belt 122 to sag beneath the ledge 121 on the seat frame
120, depending upon the weight of the occupant.
Facility of installation is achieved by means of the split clamp
assembly wherein the lower clamp member and hinge casting interface
cuts diagonally across the beam 23 of the frame 22, thereby
permitting front access to the mounting screws. Further, the
modularity in the chairs themselves is advantageous in
accommodating the chairs to any spacing over a fixed spacing (such
as 18 inches) without arms or a slightly wider spacing (such as 19
inches) with arms without modifications to the chair at the factory
or at the site. The chairs and arms may be loosely assembled along
a beam until the desired spacing is achieved, and then firmly
clamped using only the clamp screws, which are accessible from one
side.
The axes of rotation of the seats and backs are colinear and extend
along a line representative of the intersection of the hip and
lumbar regions of the occupant, for greater comfort.
Having thus disclosed in detail a preferred embodiment of the
invention, persons skilled in the art will be able to modify
certain of the structure which has been illustrated and to
substitute equivalent elements for those disclosed while continuing
to practice the principle of the invention; and it is, therefore,
intended that all such modifications and substitutions be covered
as they are embraced within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
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